Synopsis of Dancing Sermons by:
Bishop Trevor Mwamba, Bishop of Botswana.

Dancing Sermons is an Ah! Book. Vernon Sproxton described Ah! Books as those that basically induce a fundamental change in the reader’s perception of things.  Dancing Sermons does this.  It will make you look upon familiar things as though seeing, feeling and understanding it for the first time.
The message running through Dancing Sermons like a golden thread is that we human beings in spite of our flaws are all very special, unique, and loved deeply and intensely by God. This love is without strings.  There is an elegant five letter word which expresses

this: grace.

 

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Book Review by: Alexander McCall Smith Author of Blue Shoes and Happiness, In the Company of Cheerful Ladies and The Full Cupboard of Life.

For many people the experience of listening to sermons is a mixed one. We are often quite interested in what the preacher has to say, but our minds are inclined to wander. There are our own thoughts to contend with.

It is helpful, then, to see sermons in written form, particularly when the sermons are, like those in this book, such fine examples of the preacher's art. In these pages there is a great deal to think about, a great deal to that will move and inspire the reader. These are, quite simply, challenging and enlightening thoughts.

I am honored to be able to publish this book. Trevor Mwamba is not only somebody

whom I am proud to call my friend, he is a great man, whose Christian example should

be able to help many people of faith and of no faith. Our world is not always a pleasant place and there are may in it who are unhappy. But this unhappiness can always be attenuated by listening to a well expressed message of love and understanding. That is what this book is about. Alexander McCall Smith

MEDIA REVIEWS:

We all come from the same root By: John Matshikiza (Mail and Guardian) 11 to 17 August 2006

Mwamba’s style is to open up with the modern-day equivalent of a parable – a passing reference to personal incidents remembered or reflective quotes from literature – not necessarily the Christian Bible, and sometimes from Judaic or Islamic scriptures or even profound prose of Lebanon’s Khalil Gibran.
All very significant in this day and age. It draws us back to the root of what faith is about, for those who lucky enough to have it – not lip service, but, in this down-to-earth exploration of it, careful reflection on the human condition, and what we can do about it in these days of war and ongoing injustice.
‘Dancing Sermons’ indeed. No matter how far out we go on this digital journey, the lust,

the sheer ability to dance is still what grounds the human spirit. Believe what you will, articulate it – when it comes to it, we all come from the same root and have the same

needs, and suffer the same failings. That is the gentle message of the witty Bishop of Botswana

By: Victor Mecoamere The Sowetan 18 July 2006

The preacher at the funeral of an atteridgeville community leader strayed off the track when he invited congregants to repent of their sins. But instead of the proverbial fire and brimstone expected in hell, the preacher said that those who did not believe that “Heaven, Jesus, God or the Holy Spirit exists” should give it a try and repent.

If sceptics found this meaningful exercise, he said, then trying would not have been in vain. And also if they found they had been lied to, then they would have at least made an effort to find out, instead of just speculating about it. The laughter this elicited was not generated by misgivings, but by the preacher’s humorous presentation style.

Bishop Trevor Mwamba, the Bishop of Botswana, fits this description, based on a reading of 17 of his poignant sermons. He comes across as a counselor and friend to peasants and kings. Mwamba delivered these sermons in Botswana and the UK between 1988 and 2005.

Dancing sermons also illuminates Mwamba as a keen observer of human strengths and frailties and an astute reader of human relations. His sermons show him to be a man who lives his words of well – paced counsel and polite admonishment.

Bishop Mwamba dances with sermons By: Tirelo Ditshipi (Midweek Sun) 7/4/2006

Zambian born Anglican Church Bishop Trevor Mwamba launched his book, Dancing Sermons last week. It is a religious book, which might induce a fundamental change in the reader’s perception of things.

Like the author who puts on many hats, of lawyer, banker, writer and priest, the book sets out to inspire, motivate and instill a set of important values in one. Dancing Sermons will make you look upon familiar things as though seeing, feeling and understanding it for the first time.

Dancing Sermons is joyous. It takes the reader from one beat to the other, dancing non- stop. In a nutshell it is an easy, accommodating read, which does not require one to be a staunch Christian or belong to any particular religion to be hooked on it. Take for instance sermon two, titled God the Butler; in this humour filled sermon Bishop Mwamba talks of the need for people to be humble. It is not much about God but the scenarios he relates to, which are of typical human nature.

Then there is another cleverly titled sermon, Pizzas and Integrity. In this sermon he seeks to inspire and motivate because it was a sermon he delivered at Maruapula School Leavers’ dinner, class of 1993. The quote reads: “And your life will be a success. Success - that is what you are made for. Success distinguished with integrity is simply about being a good human being“.

One other quote of, In the Perfect Storm sermon reads, “the only place outside heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers of love is hell”.

Bishop Mwamba said that, “writing this book has been a different an extraordinary experience penning all the sermons because they were inspired by different situations”. The world is not a very pleasant place to live but when there is comfort and guidance, it becomes a beautiful world. This book gives all that.